Staff Accountant

Position Description:

The Staff Accountant is a core member of the San Joaquin Community Foundation (SJCF) finance team and reports to the Controller. Four Staff Accountant roles support the Foundation’s overall financial integrity across SJCF, its subsidiaries, supporting organizations, and fiscally sponsored projects.

This role is responsible for executing day-to-day accounting operations, ensuring accurate transaction processing, maintaining strong internal controls, supporting grant and fund accounting, and contributing to audit readiness and regulatory compliance. Staff Accountants operate within defined scopes of responsibility while cross-training across functions to ensure redundancy, continuity, and departmental resilience.

The Controller provides oversight, financial governance, policy direction, and final review authority. Staff Accountants execute operational accounting functions in alignment with those standards and best practices for nonprofit financial management.

Core Responsibilities: 

Transaction Processing & Fund Accounting (30%)

• Process and record accounts payable, accounts receivable, deposits, journal entries, and credit card transactions.
• Ensure proper coding of all transactions by fund, program, grant, class, and restriction in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit fund accounting standards.
• Process grant distributions, scholarship payments, vendor payments, and donor-related transactions.
• Maintain accurate supporting documentation for all financial activity.
• Coordinate with Development and Grants teams to ensure accurate recording of gifts, pledges, and grant activity.
• Support donor-advised fund and fiscal sponsorship accounting in alignment with donor intent and fund agreements.

Monthly Close & Reconciliations (20%)

• Perform monthly bank, investment, and credit card reconciliations.
• Reconcile designated balance sheet accounts, including restricted funds, grants payable, and agency funds.
• Prepare adjusting journal entries (accruals, prepaids, deferred revenue, reclasses) for Controller review.
• Assist with monthly close process to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Review general ledger activity for completeness, accuracy, and consistency.

Grant & Fiscal Sponsorship Financial Management (15%)

• Track grant revenue, expenditures, and restrictions to ensure compliance with grant agreements and funder requirements.
• Prepare financial reports and invoice documentation for institutional grants as requested.
• Monitor fund balances and project budgets for fiscally sponsored projects and subdivisions.
• Apply administrative fees and revenue-sharing allocations in accordance with established policies.
• Review fiscal sponsorship expenditures to ensure alignment with approved scopes of work and fund agreements.

Financial Reporting & Budget Support (15%)

• Prepare recurring financial reports including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow reports, and fund balance summaries.
• Generate fund-level and project-level financial reports for internal stakeholders.
• Support preparation of board-ready financial materials for subsidiaries and fiscally sponsored entities.
• Assist the Controller in budget development and forecasting processes by providing historical and trend data.
• Respond to internal financial inquiries from leadership and program teams.

Compliance, Audit & Internal Controls (10%)

• Maintain organized, audit-ready financial records.
• Support annual audit, financial review, and Form 990 preparation processes.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with GAAP, IRS regulations, charitable fund restrictions, and internal financial policies.
• Execute internal control procedures related to approvals, documentation, and segregation of duties.
• Prepare annual 1099 filings and related reporting requirements.

Payroll & Benefits Administration Support (5%)

• Support payroll processing in coordination with HR and the Controller.
• Prepare payroll journal entries and related reconciliations.
• Assist with payroll tax reporting and benefit allocations.

Systems Management & Process Improvement (5%)

• Maintain accounting software, chart of accounts integrity, and fund structure consistency.
• Support CRM-to-accounting system integrations and data integrity efforts.
• Identify workflow improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and internal control strength.
• Participate in cross-training to ensure continuity across accounting functions.

Specific assignments will be determined through a Division of Responsibilities (DOR) process. All Staff Accountants are expected to maintain cross-functional knowledge to support departmental continuity.

Additional Duties

• Perform other duties as  necessary to promote and support the mission of the San Joaquin Community Foundation and evolving organizational needs.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Education: 
• • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
  • CPA track or advanced accounting coursework preferred but not required.
• Experience: 
• • 3–6 years of progressive accounting experience; nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience with fund accounting, restricted funds, or grant accounting preferred.
  • Experience supporting audits and financial reporting processes.
  • Familiarity with community foundations, fiscal sponsorship models, or multi-entity nonprofit environments preferred.
• Technical Skills: 
• • Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit fund accounting principles.
  • Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Foundant, or similar).
  • Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, reconciliations, financial modeling basics).
  • Experience with donor management or grants management systems integration preferred.
  • Ability to interpret financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Knowledge: 
• • Nonprofit financial management best practices.
  • Internal controls and segregation of duties frameworks.
  • IRS regulations related to charitable organizations and restricted funds.
  • Grant compliance and reporting standards.
  • Audit preparation and documentation standards.
  • Budgeting and financial forecasting fundamentals.

Compensation & Benefits:

At San Joaquin Community Foundation we use market data and compensation best practices to determine pay. Alongside our competitive non-profit pay scale we offer a generous benefits package.  All SJCF staff receive a generous annual wellness fund stipend to promote healthy lifestyles, creativity, and work-life balance.  Includes provisions or reimbursement for Medical, Dental, Vision, and retirement plan contributions.

This role offers a starting pay scale of $33.00 per hour- $37.86 per hour independent of location. Placement within this range is determined by our compensation philosophy, which prioritizes competency and experience over credentials.

During the interview process, candidates will have the opportunity to showcase key core competencies, including: project management, strategic thinking, cultural competence, and problem solving. Following the interview, our assessment of these competencies will guide final salary placement within the specified pay scale.

As we continue refining our evaluation processes, we reserve the right to review and potentially adjust pay after 90 days in the role, based on additional insights.

TO APPLY:

• Apply through Rippling
• Complete this skills assessment: https://forms.gle/9aVShJDYu1cPwk3P8
• Skills assessment must be completed or application will not be considered.